A week ago, I described the match against Swindon Town as a step forward in our efforts to re-establish our League One form. I don't think there was a lot of doubt that it was a step in the right direction from the Port Vale match that preceded it. The Tuesday night defeat that followed against Sheffield United might have been excusable given their club's size and resources - there will be a lot of teams that go to Bramall Lane and get outplayed. However, what we didn't need was another poor performance against Rochdale on the Saturday. If Swindon was one step forward, then Sheffield United and Rochdale inevitably become two steps back.

Of course, if you are going to dig yourself out of a hole, you need a good start in your matches. If you're already low on confidence you need to put yourselves in a position where you can play yourself back into form. As such, conceding in the 6th minute, and then again in the 16th minute is a real hammer blow. If you're top of the league, going 0-2 down early on is like a red rag to a bull - you come back and you win the game 3-2. If you're near the bottom, it's the sort of event that merely 'confirms' what you may have had in the back of your head in terms of self-doubts, meaning your manager's pre-match geeing up of the team are now long forgotten.

Once again, poor defending gifted Rochdale their goals. We can grumble about the number of goals scored at the other end (and probably with some justification) but when you keep shipping goals at the rate of 2-2-4-1-2-3 per game, you're not going to win many games. Unless you are a top of the table side, any attempt to get back into the match risks you being left wide open at the back and you may well concede again, not necessarily by bad play, but by you having to take risks in pushing players forward, because of the consequences of you going a goal or two behind. Furthermore the opposition can park two banks of four behind the ball and snuff you out. A discussion on Facebook this weekend revealed that the last time we came from behind to win a match was back in February 2013 (Preston North End at home) which shows how important the first goal in a game can be. Therefore just six minutes into the match, we were in problems.

One thing that is certain, is that we can't afford too many bad defeats like that and not have things implode badly. As mentioned after the Port Vale game, many seasons have that sort of 'wake-up call' result that provides that shock factor. However, you have to make sure that in the fullness of time that is seen as a 'blip' rather than a long term downfall. Rather like a boxer taking blows to the head in a ring, each one gradually weakens your position - you've got to strike blows back in the other direction if you are not going to find yourself on the deck being counted out.

Gary Johnson has been here before and has successfully worked his way out of trouble, but I think it's safe to say this is the most difficult moment of his two Yeovil Town spells. To an extent he plays his cards cautiously in public, but in more recent interviews he has highlighted a number of things that I think are roughly in line with my own opinion of why we are in that situation. So I have some confidence that he understands what needs fixing. Things I've picked up are along the lines of:

a) "we have a weak group at the moment, that get weaker instead of getting stronger in adversity" : (Rochdale - post-match) - this points to a team low on confidence, and perhaps lacking leadership on the field of play. The lack of a Jamie McAllister, or before that a Paul Wotton style figure who has been-there, done-that and can act as that figurehead authority may be a problem - generally you want that to come from a defender or a midfielder who can see the whole team in front of him - it's rare for strikers to assume that sort of role. Do we need to bring in an old campaigner on loan, much in the way that Wotton was brought in for us? That may help us significantly, but of course it will cost us.

b) "Sometimes they (new signings) come off and sometimes they don't, but you have to give them the opportunity. Meanwhile you have to be aware that January is coming up, and you have to be aware that you need to strengthen - and I think we do" : (Rochdale - pre-match) - this suggests that Gary will be changing his squad in January, but of course the transfer window rules constrain what we can and can't do before then. It's also an implicit admission that some of his new signings haven't done what he hoped they would do.

c) "We've brought players in and some of the players that are not performing are the ones that are on the higher money. They're letting us down at the moment" : (Port Vale - post-match) - further admission that some of the club's summer signings have not been successful, and also a strong hint that he is talking about higher earners, rather than more inexperienced rookies. Gary doesn't name names, but I think you have to wonder why Brendan Moloney has played so few games, why Aaron Martin has dropped out of the squad, and perhaps to a lesser extent why both goalkeepers were temporarily leapfrogged by a loan goalkeeper - albeit for only a month. Those new arrivals that have tended to keep their places in the team are probably not in his thoughts here - Gary usually filters players out of his plans when he feels they aren't coming up to scratch.

d) "It (new signings) doesn't come within days of poor performances. It comes over a period of time - you have to let the players know, let the agents know, and talk to agents. You've got to make sure that what you've got coming in is better than what you've maybe going out. Then there's got to be availability. People have got to want your players, and the players that you want have got to become available. So it's not done in just one or two weeks" : (Rochdale - build-up) - I think this is Gary's caveat here, that we can recognise that we need new players, or that existing players need to be shifted out, but that on a one-in, one-out basis, this is going to be a long, slow curve. And in the meantime you've got to squeeze the best out of the players, including the ones that you may feel are sub-standard.

I know some people have criticised Gary for some of the comments he's made in his press interviews about his current playing squad, with some of the quotes above being examples of where he's made it clear that he doesn't think they're up to the job. However, I'm sure he's told them far more home truths behind closed doors - this will be the watered down version. The alternative is that he comes out and greets the press and doesn't criticise the performances at all, but then he'd probably get accused of trying to soft-soap bad performances. There have been a couple of occasions where he's been fairly direct about individuals, but usually only when the interviewer has asked him a question about a fairly obvious mistake that's happened - again it would be hard to avoid that. There's a few moments where I think he has gone further than perhaps he should, but that's a general problem with the way that managers often have microphones put under their noses at 5.00p.m. when emotions are still running high.

Going back to the four quotes above, I think it's clear that there have been some mistakes made in the summer recruitment. Gary doesn't hide from that, saying "this is the group that I brought in, and so there's no excuses ... it doesn't look a strong enough group, but I'm the one that's brought them in and I'm the one that's got to turn it around" (Rochdale - post-match). For some fans, they believe Gary shouldn't be the person to turn it around, and there have been little whisperings that this view may be creeping close to the top of the club. Ultimately Messrs Fry and Hayward will have the final say though, and if past manager-owner relationships are a guide, it will very much come down to the latter.

What they and the board have to consider if they tread down that sort of direction in their boardroom debates, is a bit more than what fans tend to consider. Ours often tends to be a "Manager OUT!" sort of thing, rather than to consider the all round consequences of such a thing. When managers leave, they generally have to be paid off. It may be that includes some or all of their backroom team, particularly if your new man coming in is wanting to bring his own entourage as part of his negotiations.

If the new boss echoes the views of Gary Johnson (as per the four quotes) and that some of the squad members need to be replaced then he's either going to be having to work at the same one-in, one-out pace that Gary is, or you're going to have to find him additional funds to accelerate that, even if it bloats your squad in the short term. But if you go down that route, is there the opportunity for Gary to be allowed to do the same - if so, why wouldn't you allow him to do that now? Those are the sort of questions (and more) that would need to be answered by the board and owners when making forced changes, because it can be an expensive business, and the risk is that you end up spending your spare money on the change, and then don't have anything left to give the new guy.

Assuming Gary stays where he is, the two big questions are whether he can hold the ship steady enough over the next two months so that he can reach January and do what he wants to do, and also whether the board are willing to hold their nerve if the boos continue to ring out in any subsequent home matches. Between now and January 1st we have a minimum of nine matches, including the FA Cup First Round tie against Crawley Town.

Although it's our League status that will be the most crucial for us to preserve, it's been the FA Cup that has often swung the mood of Yeovil Town supporters and board members across a season, and I suspect that Gary has been around Huish Park to know that rather too well, having seen the reaction of both cup runs that have seen us knocked out at Hayes as well as others that have guided us through to meet teams like Liverpool and Charlton Athletic. Crawley may be a bit of a 'boring' draw for us, but it will be a very crucial one for how the season pans out.

As one of your comments above,
I think a lot if not about 95 % of the problem is the board,
they are doing nothing to really help Gary all they are saying we need 4000 plus a game to keep this club going.
Sorry is that the club or there dividend payments they are drawing a lot of money out of the club for there own pockets that's why we are the most expensive club as bbc have said,

the only way this club is going to survive is if the top men leave (sell their shares )
to a person or syndicate who want to own a football club for their love of football ,
Fry etc are not lovers of the game they only love the money coming in .

Another thing is you only have to go back to the previous clubs these guys were linked with i.e Bournemouth,
they nearly bought them down and look where they are now...they have gone

the only reason I think they are staying there is the planning for the land next to the ground, as soon as this is approved see who's left as this is worth so much money for them to leave now, we are not going to see any money spent on new players, they are lining their pockets first

We pay a lot of money to watch football at Yeovil but we do it because we want to support a local side,

The only thing the board is going to do is bring us down .

Where does it stop?

the gates are dropping,

I heard a comment at a recent home game where a supporter seen fry parking his car and they said "nice car John"
he said thanks
the next comment made me laugh "who paid for that Ayling "
no comment
28/10/2014 17:33:31

bournemouth glover said ...

Good article as usual but I can't help thinking some of the problems are self inflicted. If you tell members of the team they are dead wood and have only a future till January how would you react? Are they going to give their all knowing that they are going to be shipped out at the earliest opportunity. Basic man management is to keep them onside and encourage them if they are not up to it they can still be allowed to leave in January but don't tell them now with all the crucial games coming up. Also whats happening to Joel Grant, always worth a starting place, one player that you might pay the admission price to see are we going down the Madden route again!!!
28/10/2014 18:10:18

Dusty said ...

Some of Gary's team are not good enough for this level and I think some of his signings have backfired. However, as I have said previously you have to get the best out of what you've got and I don't think Gary is doing that at the moment. He is not getting into their heads, hearts and minds because they are probably fit enough and skilfull enough to do much better. I also agree that leadership on the pitch seems lacking and much as I like Edwards he is not a strong enough captain. We forget just how good Stech and the play off winning back four were, including McAllister as skipper - our defence is well short of that at the moment. I hope some of the players step up because of their own standards and desire to play well. Gary's press comments are not helping - I suggest he takes a leaf out of Sean Dyche's book at Burnley who are bottom of the prem and the only team without a win this season. Just read or listen to what he says in adversity.
28/10/2014 18:43:30

PAUL said ...

I like your comment ref joel grant

I heard on Saturday they have fallen out " he's next on the hit list??
miller, madden, etc now grant
where are we going???????
surely we need to keep goal scorers not get rid of them because ??????????????? is that not wins games
"they have an opinion" where its going wrong ????
28/10/2014 18:57:47

Colin said ...

I do wish some fans would wise up! Directors receiving dividends, that is utter nonsense! You are living in cloud-cuckoo land.
The commercial team have underperformed for ages and that is ultimately the responsibility of John Fry as Chief Exec. We need more revenue in the Club, but its always difficult to sell the Club to sponsors when you are bottom of the table. We need buildings/commercial activities that are working for the Club on more than just Saturday home games. The Club have consistently failed to address this and fail to run it as a business 24/7 instead seem content to focus on 23 home games plus cup fixtures. The 26 acres has to earn more. Selling off 6 acres for retail development will only bring in a lump-sum, so there will be no long term income there. Its this lack of vision off the pitch that is so annoying. As to performances in games, I have been to only a handful only so far this season, and we cheekily got lucky against Walsall but won well at Bradford. Other than that there has been scarcely much to shout about. We were well beaten by Doncaster and Sheffield. I pretty much agree with the team analysis above, and we seem to be weakest down our flanks this year. I hope we can make changes, but recognise that there is little scope in the current budget to do much about it. Can we find another Madden to dig us out of a hole? I really hope so as that is what it will take.
28/10/2014 19:02:02

John Clark said ...

Maybe the plan to have a more permanent squad and fewer loanees (which sounded good at the time) wasn't so clever after all?
28/10/2014 20:29:40

camberwick green said ...

We need a minimum of 8 players, who, when fit and available, command a place in the starting lineup. On that basis, IMO, we are 4 players short. Can't see us managing to ship out 4 of the higher earners to facilitate that, either now or in January. On top of that we may find Adam Morgan back on the books, at least for a while in January. Removing Gary is not the answer. Finances probably dictate that doing so can only be achieved by making Skivo numberer 1 again assisted by Dazz.
Unless some of the current squad can considerably up their game and show some leadership into the bargain we are in real trouble.
28/10/2014 20:55:37

ross said ...

i think as much as the board and the management have to take the blame the players have to stand up and be counted. to answer why would u put effort in if u dont know ur staying. answer is simple professional and personal pride. otherwise ur doing urself no favours in finding a new club. ur short changing fans if ur not even going to run around. more commercial routes also are needed to get more funds in. lets really get behind tbem. also more thought and incentive needs to ho on with ticket prices etc to get more through the gates so its more affordable.
28/10/2014 21:04:32

Mervyn Sparks said ...

There are undoubtedly some players in this new squad who are not performing well enough but there are also a few very good players at Huish. A big part of the problem is Garys management of them, the falling-outs (Joel Grant being the latest villain -why is it always our best players?!) hauling a player off after 40 minutes if he makes a mistake or banishing a player to the bench for a few weeks if he has a poor game (Smith/Seth). He then replaces them with others playing out of their best positions (Sokalik and Davis). With Smith/seth/Maloney in the back line we would have some pace and skill on the wings with Davis/Grant/Dawson. And keeping a settled team playing together for a few games might help.
28/10/2014 21:24:29

Dave said ...

Surely you haven't all forgotten what Gary have done for us as a club taking us from playing the likes of Scarborough to playing the likes of QPR. I personally think that the one thing all us YTFC fans need is faith in Gary's ability's in recruitment. Also may I cast you all back to the time of Russell Slade and Terry Skiverton as managers route one football and struggling to pick up a point against the likes of Oldham Athletic.
29/10/2014 01:15:39

Cruncher said ...

Johnson can and will achieve against the odds but it never can be a certainty for every attempt. In terms of aiming for a promotion campaign, as opposed to unambitiously treading water as probably would have been considered the 'adequate' plan if he wasn't the manager, he planned his rebuild strategy correctly but implementation has gone badly wrong. A clue to that IMO was very early: right to aim for two contracted goalkeepers but I thought he chose the wrong pair.

My instinct is that he can manage his way out of this struggle and subsequently successfully rebuild anew.

The defining contrast though is even though it's not happening at the moment, the team management might succeed if given time, but the club management cannot advance the business.

29/10/2014 01:40:47

John Perry said ...

The trouble is when things start to go wrong it is human nature to blame everyone else. We have been here before in League One and been ok. I live near Nottingham and County had a bad run last season, pulled through and are doing well this year. Just be patient and trust in Gary and the team. We are after all a very small club in what is a very tough league. Better here than where Weymouth are!!
29/10/2014 09:52:01

andrew strickland said ...

Changing the manager is not the solution, there is no one as able/familiar/affordable/committed as Gary.
Some of the contract players should accept and take full responsibility for the absolutely dire level of commitment I am seeing at games.
Last year (and previous ones) I watched the players fall flat out on their knees at the end of several games, such as at Bolton just through 110% effort from start to finish
The laat game at Vale was shameful to see the 10% effort being put in by the entire squad.
To me until the board has a serious reality check over funds we are only, and it breaks my heart to say it, going one way...back to where we began.
29/10/2014 10:25:01

Martin said ...

This situation is not about the last 5 games, but ever since the debacle at the Pompey Cup game, and the stupid lack of communication (Fry)at the transfer window and the surly response of the Manager (sulking in the dugout). He lost the "changing room" at that game, a position that is often non reversible and he is now losing it even more with his comments about the players. Sure he can bring new guys in, but there won't be much change and the whole thing implodes on itself. Being in South Africa, I only can see snippets of the Yeovil games on Sky Sports. I can see that the defence is far too lightweight and the left hand side of the team is non existent. If I can see that from 11 000 kms away, surely Gary can see it from 20 metres and do something radical to change it! If he, and the Board don't catch a wake up, Division 2 beckons, or maybe Conference League in two years time. It has been done by many teams in recent years. Decsion time Fry and Johnson, do you wnat to play Weymouth again?
29/10/2014 10:38:52

Mark said ...

As suggested by Gary Johnson maybe it's time to look at the way the coaching staff are doing things. When you have lost the dressing room to an extent (post Pompey) and you beast the players on the pitch after a poor performance and bring them in on a Sunday, maybe they stop performing for you and lose respect. Not that I am agreeing with that attitude but look at the way Man Utd players treated Moyes.
29/10/2014 18:41:18

camelgreen said ...

what I find frustrating is that we have on our coaching staff, one of the best defenders we have had at the club in the modern era, also a regular goal scorer from that position, but now we have one of the worst defences. does this sadly mean he is not a good coach just as he was not a good manager, or is that we just have a really bad set of players who cant be told? I know the problems are at both ends of the pitch, once again I question not having a striker coach. I understand some of Mr Fry's comments in the WG, but he does'nt seem to be taking any responsibility.
30/10/2014 09:46:59

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